Public grievances over basic civic services and unresolved employee issues have triggered protests at different places in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting growing demands for effective redressal of longstanding problems. According to Kashmir Media Service, residents of Rashidabad in Bomai, Sopore, blocked the Bandipora-Kupwara road on Monday to protest an acute shortage of potable water that has persisted for nearly a month. The residents said repeated disruptions in water supply had made it difficult for households to meet basic drinking water needs.

They complained that despite repeated complaints, the supply continued to remain disrupted for days at a time. The protesters said the water supply was restored shortly after they blocked the road but warned that such restoration had repeatedly proved temporary. “This is not the first time we have been forced to protest. The department restores the supply after protests, but the problem returns again,” resident Farooq Ahmad Mir said, demanding a permanent solution. The blockade left vehicles, including buses and school buses, stranded on both sides of the road, affecting commuters and students.

A police team from Police Station Bomai had to reach the spot to manage the situation and restore traffic movement. Meanwhile, the indefinite peaceful protest by Tourism Development Corporation employees entered its eighth consecutive day, with employees pressing for resolution of long-pending service, financial and administrative issues. The protesting employees, led by Union President Qamer Din, Chairman Arvin Tickoo and General Secretary Anita Koul, demanded adequate budgetary support for TDC, release of pending retirement benefits and remittance of Contributory Provident Fund dues, which they said have remained pending for nearly 52 months.

The employees also sought immediate convening of Departmental Promotion Committee meetings, noting that no such meeting has reportedly been held for nearly 12 years, along with regularization of long-serving daily wagers, timely payment of salaries. The TDC employees also called for a special financial package to renovate and upgrade the corporation's properties across occupied Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen tourism infrastructure and improve its revenue position.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)